Category: Narayanavanam

Narayanavanam is a census town in Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town is known for Kalyana Venkateswara Temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara and constructed in 1541 AD

Sri Avanakshamma Ammavari Temple, Narayanavanam

Sri Avanakshamma Ammavari Temple, Narayanavanam

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Sri Avanakshamma Ammavari Temple

Narayanavanam

Narayanavanam is located at a distance of about 45 km from the town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. It is said that the place got the name ‘Narayanavanam’ as it was the place where Srimannarayana went hunting. In the inscription of 1467, the name of this place was mentioned as ‘Narayanavarapattu’ and in the inscription of 1537 it was mentioned as ‘Narayanapurampattu.’

It is well known that all these names are derived from Srimannarayana. These names changed in usage over time and formed ‘Narayanavanam’. The marriage of Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Padmavati Devi took place in Narayanavanam.

sri kalyana venkateswara swamy Temple, narayanavanam
Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Narayanavanam

Goddess Sri Avanakshamma in Narayanavanam – Legend

There is an interesting sthalapuranam regarding the stay of Goddess Sri Avanakshamma in Narayanavanam. As per the ‘sthalapuranam’ Lord Brahma installed and worshipped the Goddess here. In the past, Lord Brahma started creation. During this time, a demon named Somakasura was troubling the sages and destroying their ‘yagnas’. Somakasura once attacked Satyaloka and stole the Vedas. He hid them in the sea.

To save the Vedas, Lord Sri Mahavishnu assumed the form of a fish i.e., Matsyavataara and reached the bottom of the ocean. At this time Lord Brahma prayed to Goddess Parvati, who is the Goddess of Power, and asked Her to kill Somakasura and bring the Vedas back. Goddess Parvati granted Lord Brahma’s prayers and attacked Somakasura. Lord Sri Mahavishnu who was in the form of Matsyavataara assisted the Goddess.

Amna Yakshi Ammavaru –> Avanakshamma Ammavaru

After killing Somakasura, Jaganmata brought the Vedas back and presented them to Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma, who started creation, felt grateful to Goddess Parvati for Her help. With this, Lord Brahma made an idol and installed it in the area of the present temple and worshipped the Mother as Sri ‘Amnayakshi Ammavaru’.

Later Agastya Maharshi reached there and worshipped the goddess. ‘Amna’ means the Vedas and Akshi means eyes. That means the Goddess who protected the Vedas was worshipped by Lord Brahma as ‘Amna Yakshi’.

Over time, the name ‘Amna Yakshi’ has become ‘Avanakshamma’.

Sri Avanakshamma Ammavari Temple Structure

The temple of Sri Avanakshamma in Narayanavanam is located in a spacious courtyard. Opposite the main temple, one can see the Balipeetham made of stone. The main Gopuram consists of one stair. One can see the idol Sri Avanakshamma in this Gopura Mandapam.

After entering the temple, one can see Balipeetham, Dwaja Sthambham and Thrishulam. Devotees offer turmeric, kumkuma and bangles at the thrishulam and offer ‘puja.’ The main temple consists of Mahamandapa, Mukhamandapa, Antaralayam and Garbhalayam. In the main sanctum sanctorum, Sri Avanakshamma Ammavaru appears as ‘Shaktirupini’ with sticking out tongue.

Sri Avanakshamma Ammavari Temple inside, Narayanavanam

Sri Avanakshamma wears a sword and a ‘thrishulam’ with both hands and poked the demon under Her feet with ‘thrishulam.’ Along with the main deity, one can see small statues of ‘Ammavaru’, ‘Sri Shankari Devi’ and ‘Utsavamurthis’. It is said that the idol of Ammavaru which was worshipped by Lord Brahma earlier was small.

Naga Devatas

Akasharaju installed a big idol which is currently being worshipped. Usually, there is an Ekakalasa Gopuram above the sanctum sanctorum. This temple has a gopuram like Galigopuram on the sanctum sanctorum. Five ‘kalasalas’ are enshrined on this gopuram. One can see in the temple premises the Lord Ganesha on the platform under the peepal and neem trees and ‘Naga Devatas.’

History of the Temple

It is said that Akasha Raju the king of Narayanavanam got the daughter Padmavati Devi after worshipping Sri Avanakshamma. It is said that Sri Padmavathi Devi along with her father used to go to the temple regularly and worship the Goddess.

During the marriage of Sri Venkateswara Swami and Padmavati Ammavaru, Padmavati Devi performed Gouripuja in this temple, and after the marriage, Sri Venkateswara Swami and Padmavati Devi visited and worshipped the goddess.

Along with the rulers of Narayanavanam and Karvetinagaram, the rulers of Thiruttani worshipped the goddess and worked for the development of the temple. In 1967, the management of the temple was taken over by the TTD.

Sevas

The Brahmotsavam of Narayanavanam Sri Avanakshamma Ammavaru will be performed every year in August and September for eighteen days apart from daily pujas. During the Brahmotsavams different ‘vahana sevas’ including the Radhotsavam will be performed grandly. Special poojas will also be performed at Ammavaru in Ashadamasam.

More Details

There are no accommodation facilities for devotees in Narayanavanam. It is located in A.P. on the Tirupati-Chennai road approx. 45 km away from Tirupati and 8 km away from Puttur.

How to Reach the Temple

Buses are available from Tirupati, Chennai, Puttur and Chittoor. Almost all trains stop at Puttur Railway Station on the Renigunta-Chennai main line.

From Tirupati Srinivasam, one can take a tourist bus operated by the Department of Tourism and visit this place along with other places.

Final Word

It is believed that childless people who worship Goddess Avanakshamma Ammavaru will get children. There is a strong belief among the devotees that those who will visit the goddess and worship Her, get married quickly.

May the Goddess Sri Avanakshamma Ammavaru grant prosperity and eternal bliss.

Narayanavanam

Narayanavanam

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Narayanavanam

Narayanavaram or Narayanavanam is the sacred residence of Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy and Goddess Padmavatidevi. This is the very holy place where Lord Srinivasa married Padmavati, the daughter of Akasaraja.

Narayanavanam is a sacred place that is at a distance of 34 kilometers from the temple of Lord Srinivasa who is hailed as the visible God and lies on the Tirupati – Chennai route, within five kilometers of Puttur.

The original name was Narayana Puram. When Lord Srinivasa came to the forest for hunting, saw Padmavati playing with her friends, fell in love with her, and married her here, and so the place came to be called ‘Narayanapuram’.

As it was Sri Narayana himself who incarnated as a bridegroom to marry Padmavati here, the place is known even today as ‘Narayanavaram’.

Greatness & Glorious facts

The greatness and glorious facts about this place are given in detail in Sri Venkatachala Mahatmyam. Akasaraja built this temple. The temple which had suffered decay was rebuilt in 1245 A.D. by the then ruler of the area, Veera Narasimhadeva Yadavaraya (1205-1245).

It is said that Penugonda Veerappa – I rebuilt the temple of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara in Narayanavanam in 1541-42. In 25.3.43 renovation was undertaken and completed by SurajmalKarva, the manager of the principality of Alwar (Rajasthan).

The places in and around Narayanavanam also are famous. The Kailasanadha Kona waterfalls which spring from the slopes of Nagarimukku hill attract many, especially tourists from Chennai. Here is the temple of Kailasanadha.

Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy of Narayanavanam

Here the presiding icon is Sri Kalyana Venkateswara. He grants all our wishes. The Lord is seen facing east. Lakshmi is seen residing on his bosom. ADasavatara band adorns his waist. A garland of salagramas adorns his shoulders as also the Conch and the Discus. His hand carries a hunting sword.

Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy of Narayanavanam

Goddess Padmavati Devi

When Akasaraja was tiling the earth for performing a sacrifice, he found a box. In it, there was a girl child on a lotus. So she came to be known as Padmini and Padmavati. In the Skandha Purana she is known as Padmini; in Bhavishyottara Purana, she is called Padmavati. She is also called Padmavati.

Here the goddess is in a separate temple. The vimana of the temple is known as Vishnuchandravimana. The temple is located to the south west of the main temple. Near to the main entrance of the temple, you get darsana of Saraswati to your right and Kamadhenu and Kalpavriksha on the left.

Goddess Padmavati is seated on a lotus, has four shoulders and faces east. According to VenkatachalaPurana, Vedavati was born as Padmavati. The temple is encircled by a pathway for circumambulation and that has another circle outside for performing Mahapradakshina too.

To the Northwest is the temple of Andalamma (Goda Devi). The northern gate is opened every year on Vaikuntadwadasi day.

Sadasiva Kona

Sadasiva Kona is on the northern side. There is another waterfall there and also a small Siva temple. Many people throng to the place on the auspicious day of Mahasivaratri.

In the forest to the east, an ancient path leads to Sri Kalahasti. Tondaman Chakravarty who claimed Narayanavanam made Tondamanadu near Sri Kalahasti as Capital. There is a temple of Sridevi Bhudevi and Narasimha on the way.

Scarcity of water and the resolution

It is said that when water was sufficient on the day of the wedding festival, the river Aruna was created with a herb called Aruni.

Now a dam named Araniyar is built on it to provide water for irrigation in the area. The Kailasanadha Kona waterfall is at a distance of three kilometers from here. It falls from the central part of the Nagarimukku hill which attracts tourists.